Father Charles Slisz (left) has been named the new rector of St. Joseph Cathedral. Father David Richards (center) and Father Michael Burzynski also received new assignments.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has announced several clergy assignments including naming a new rector for St. Joseph Cathedral.

Father Charles E. Slisz, who had retired from active priestly ministry in the spring of 2015, will be the new rector of St. Joseph Cathedral as of July 1.  His assignment is for a term of six years.  Father Slisz, who will take over the duties of the retiring Father Peter A. Drilling, served as pastor of St. Christopher Parish from 2006 until his retirement. His previous assignments include serving as pastor at St. Andrew, Kenmore; St. Josaphat, Cheektowaga; St. Mary, Holley; St. Mark, Kendall; and St. Rocco, Hulberton. His earlier assignments were at Holy Spirit, Buffalo; St. Amelia, Tonawanda; St. Vincent de Paul, North Evans; Immaculate Conception, East Aurora; and SS. Peter & Paul, Hamburg.

Father Michael H. Burzynski, Ph.D., pastor of St. John Gualbert Parish in Cheektowaga, has taken on the additional responsibilities as administrator of St. John Kanty Parish in Buffalo, effective May 12.  Father Burzynski has been at St. John Gualbert since 2011. Prior to that he served at St. Mary of the Cataract Parish, Niagara Falls, first as administrator in 2000 and then as pastor until 2011. In 2002 he added the duties of pastor at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Niagara Falls, and was pastor of both parishes in the Falls. Father Burzynski had previously served as parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish, Kenmore; Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Buffalo, and St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Cheektowaga.

Bishop Malone also named Father David I. Richards administrator at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, Lancaster, effective June 1. Following his ordination, Father Richards served as parochial vicar at St. Gregory the Great Parish, Williamsville, and then at Queen of Heaven Parish, West Seneca.  Father Richards is also featured in a video series called, "In a WORD with Father Dave" that is aimed at middle school-aged children. It can be seen on Daybreak TV Productions' Facebook page, YouTube channel and website, www.daybreaktv.org.

Father John W. Adams, parochial vicar at SS. Peter & Paul Parish, Hamburg, received a new assignment as associate director of priestly formation and associate professor in pastoral theology at Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora.  He will assume his new duties on June 19. Father Adams, who was a professor for many years before entering the seminary, was ordained in 2014.

Father Daniel J. Serbicki was named pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Corfu for a term of six years. Ordained in 2011, Father Serbicki previously was parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish, Wellsville, and Queen of Heaven Parish, West Seneca.

Father Augustine M. Ayaga was named parochial vicar at the Villa Maria College campus ministry site.  Father Ayaga, who resides at Good Shepherd Parish, Pendleton, studied theology and philosophy in Ghana and was ordained in 1988.  He held several positions including parish priest and diocesan master of ceremonies. Father Ayaga earned a doctorate in leadership and public policy from Niagara University where he also served as an adjunct professor.

Father Romulo T. Montero was named parochial vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Tonawanda, effective May 18.  Father Montero came to the Diocese of Buffalo from the Philippines where he was ordained in 1988. This is not his first time serving in the United States; he served in the Archdiocese of New York at a Manhattan parish for eight years before returning to the Philippines for a few years.

Bishop Malone also announced new assignments for two deacons, William J. Walkowiak and Daniel U. Golinski, effective April 12. Deacon Walkowiak was assigned to ministry of charity at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, and Deacon Golinski has been assigned to ministry of charity as vocations training chairman for the Boy Scouts.